Saqiyuq_NORS293

http://www.beachwallpapers.in/wallpaper/Baffin-Island-Canada/

Saqiyuq: Stories of the Lives of

Three Inuit Women

http://www.qbd.com.au/product/9780773522442-Saqiyuq_by_Nancy_Wachowich_Apphia_Agalakti_Awa_Rhoda_Kauk.htmPhotos on left from:

http://www.litfestalberta.org/LitfestArchive/LitFest2007ARC/authors.html

Rhoda Kaukjak Katsak

Nancy Wachowich Apphia Awa

Sandra Katsak

Photos above from book

Saqiyuq

• Anthropologist Nancy Wachowich recorded the life stories of three generations of Inuit women in 1993:

– Apphia Agalakti Awa (born in 1931),

– her daughter Rhoda Kaukjak Katsak (born in 1957), and

– Rhoda’s daughter Sandra Pikujak Katsak (born in 1973).

• Saqiyuq is a strong wind that changes directions but maintains its force.

– Shifting winds that bring fundamental changes is a central theme of the book.

The Eastern Canadian Arctic

In 1999, the territory of Nunavut was established, consisting of the eastern portion of the Northwest Territories.

The stories in Saqiyuq take place here.

http://www.lesk.com/baffin04/index.html

Themes in Saqiyuq

• The extraordinary socio-cultural and economic changes that the Inuit of the eastern Canadian Arctic experienced in the 20th century

– Extreme hardship during Apphia’s youth

– Tumultuous change during Rhoda’s youth

– Tension between Inuit and Qallunaat ways during Sandra’s life; identity issues for Sandra

• Impacts of western institutions, especially public school, on Inuit people and culture

Inuit mother and children Igloolik 1958

Source: Library and Archives Canada, Charles Gimpel fonds, e004923423.

http://qtcommission.com/actions/GetPage.php?pageId=25&communityId=10

Ptarmigan overlooking IgloolikBy Jay McConnell

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/17655823

Questions to Consider While Reading• What is most striking or remarkable about the

hardships Apphia endured during her youth?

– Why do you think she is so frank about her experiences?

• What do you find most noteworthy about the relationships between Inuit and non Inuit authorities?

• What are the greatest challenges that face Inuit today?

http://meanderingsofamermaid.blogspot.com/2008/09/nunavut-rocks-and-minerals.html